As a parent, you might be starting to get worried if your child is spending too much time on the sofa while they stare at screens. That’s understandable, so how can you get them more interested in sporting activities? It’s not a lost cause, even if it seems like your child has no interest in sports at all right now. You can learn about the steps to take to help your child develop a love of sporting activity by reading on now.

Discuss the Options With Them

It’s a good idea to start by making it clear to them that they are the one that will have the final say on what they want to do. Forcing changes onto them will only breed resentment and we all know how stubborn children can be when they want to dig their heels in. Try to make sure that you don’t force ideas on them and instead discuss things with them openly and place them in the driving seat.

Teach Them the Value of Good Sportsmanship

Preparing them for what they can expect when they start to play sports can be really important. You don’t want to simply throw them in at the deep end and expect them to swim. Start out by teaching them about the value and importance of good sportsmanship if you want to get them interested and make their introduction to a sporting team that little bit easier for them.

Provide Them With the Right Equipment

Sports immediately become a whole lot more appealing to kids when it means that they get some cool new gear out of it. Every kid loves the chance to start trying out new equipment that’s fun and exciting so you should factor this into the overall experience. Even turning basic things like jerseys into exciting things like reversible basketball uniforms can make a difference. It adds to the appeal and makes them more likely to get started.

Volunteer on a Team

If you’re there to support them as they first start playing on a sports team, it could make the whole transition for them a lot easier. They’ll have you close by and that makes it less daunting than it would otherwise be. You could volunteer as a coach or simply help out with basic things like handing out drinks after the game. Just being around and showing support will make a big difference though.

Don’t be Too Pushy

Finally, you need to make sure that you don’t fall into the trap of getting too pushy. It’s good to encourage your child but you don’t want that to become a form of pushiness in which your child comes to see physical activity as some kind of chore. In the long-term, this will just turn them away from sport and exercise in general, making them more likely to develop health problems, so keep things upbeat and relaxed.

To ensure your child stays healthy and fit during this vital stage of their life, you need to make sure that you offer your child all the support they need as they discover sport.

A little about me…

I'm a 30-something, wife and mom of two teenage boys living in the beautiful state of Virginia. This is a parenting blog that has great kid's book reviews, fun gift ideas, and honest product reviews from the perspective of a creative mom. So pull up a chair and have a seat and stay awhile :) Read More…

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